Pursuing a Life of Peace and Grace

empathy

As a teacher of at-risk students, this quality has always served me well…until recently.

Once, I was able to see the pain in the eyes of my students, and find the right words to convince them to let me in. The toughest of kids did not phase me as I knew that I had what it took to keep pushing until they realized that I was truly on their life team.

Recently, however, I seem to have hit a wall with many of those in my classroom. I’m quite certain it’s a lack of connection due to technology addiction and social media overdoses. What I once thought I was intended to share…a witty sense of humor and hard-earned wisdom from life’s lessons, are now missed and dismissed on a daily basis.

I want to connect. I try to connect. I only know how to teach through connection. But it seems that many young people are completely uninterested in allowing those connections to exist. In fact, some seem dead-set on NOT connecting to anyone personally, only technologically.

As much as I can see what I believe are societal and external causes for the disconnect, I can’t deny the huge responsibility I carry for the loss of what I once felt was a professional gift. I don’t want to believe that the possibility of regaining the spark and ability to inspire is truly gone.

I’m searching. Praying for the moment when I see the light in a student’s eye that says we’ve made a breakthrough…the time when a struggling soul thanks me for listening…the time when a broken young person believes me when I tell them that they CAN overcome their environment.

If you are a teacher and you can relate, I’d love to hear from you. This is spiritual warfare. My spirit is solidly set on the goal of encouragement and empowerment of young people. I am completely aware that “they know not what they do”. But, we MUST reach them to ensure the promise of a bright future for all.

For the past two weeks, I’ve had one job…heal. After having an extensive breast reconstruction surgery, I’ve spent 90% of every day wearing extremely tight binding garments to reduce post-surgery swelling and allow my body the time it needs to rest and prepare for the rehabilitation process ahead. To say that the restrictions on movement and necessity of wearing compression garments 24/7 has challenged my nerves would be an understatement. DEEP BREATHS…This, too, shall pass!

While I’ve been home and still unable to drive, I have been beyond blessed by the kindness of family and friends who have helped me through each step of this process. My dear husband has kept up with laundry and helped me stay on schedule with medication, my Mom cleaned our house, and both of them have pitched in to help my teenage daughter carry on without missing out on any part of her life. Several friends showed up with delicious home-cooked food, ready to spend time visiting. Each part of this journey over the past five years has included time when I was unable to leave the house, and my family has been stretched thin trying to keep the household running. I am constantly amazed at the blessing we receive when someone takes the time to deliver nourishing food, but most importantly, when they pause to spend time visiting. To me, there is no greater representation of what Jesus expects from us than to spend time with those who are secluded, whether it be for physical or mental health reasons, or aging.

This experience has reinforced my desire to find a way to give back or pay it forward more frequently. I feel that I, like so many, have good intentions, yet fail to follow through with actions so many times because we are stretched thin by so many other life demands. I would love to create a program that would simplify the process locally to connect people who wish to give with those who have needs.

While I’m not sure exactly what is needed to make that happen, I have faith the God will make it clear when I keep His love and light at the forefront of my efforts. Here’s to finding a way to coordinate goodness and help more people to enjoy a life that’s peaceful ahead.